"The mission of the Tire Industry Association (TIA) is to provide exceptional products and services benefiting both the public and the industry." Thus begins TIA's overview of its strategic plan, which lists the association's objectives in nine areas.
The overview was distributed earlier this month at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nev.
TIA says its strategic goals include:
1. Government affairs. Among the legislative issues that TIA is pursuing are tire pressure monitoring systems, the Right to Repair Act, association health plans, estate tax relief, wheel weights, used oil exemptions and others.
2. Public relations. "A membership recruitment DVD has been created... marketing materials have been created for various training products and programs," say TIA officials.
3. Member services. "TIA continues to seek out new member benefit programs for our members. In the coming year TIA will be working on Web site enhancements such as a potential dealer locator system and a consumer section on the TIA Web site to provide consumer education information."
4. Education and training. TIA has sold more than 28,000 copies of its Passenger and Light Truck Tire Conditions Manual and is planning to translate the guidebook into Spanish and Portuguese. "In 2006, we hope to begin development of the highly anticipated Earthmover Tire Service (training) program."
5. Membership retention and recruitment. TIA is developing new membership materials.
6. Insurance programs. TIA points to its recently unveiled TIA-Care health insurance initiative and workers' compensation program with Meadowbrook Insurance as examples of its efforts in the insurance benefits arena.
7. Global Council. TIA's Global Council will exhibit at tire events in Germany, Poland, Australia and other countries this year.
8. Retreaders Council. TIA's Retreaders Council "is currently evaluating two major retread concerns. The first concern is that attempts to limit the age of passenger tire service could spread to truck tires and exacerbate the current casing shortage problem. The second concern is the skyrocketing cost of fuel and energy and its negative impact on the retread industry."
9. Tire Rubber Recycling Advistory Council. Projects now underway include potential tire dealer and consumer education programs, speaking engagements and a recycling conference to be held in conjunction with the Automotive Aftermarket Association Legislative Summit in 2007."
